I want to wish all of you a happy and safe Fourth of July. With events around the county, it’s a great time to get out and celebrate with your community.
I urge everyone to celebrate responsibly and help keep others around you safe. Whether you’re traveling, barbecuing, attending a parade, watching fireworks, spending time on the water, or participating in other summer activities, please remember to be prepared, be aware, and be safe.
To our first responders and many others who do not have the day off, thank you for your dedication and for keeping our community safe.
Reminder: An outdoor burn ban took effect July 1, and many fireworks are either prohibited or only allowed during specific times in much of the county. Please take some time to check the fire risk and the fireworks regulations in your area.
Health Department Director Dennis Worsham will start his new role as Secretary of Health for Washington State next week. Please join me in wishing him well.
I am deeply grateful for Dennis’ skill, compassion, and commitment during his time as Director. He took on the role at a time when there were many new opportunities and challenges – the former Health District had just integrated into County government as a new department, and public health was in the midst of a long response to a devastating pandemic as well as ongoing epidemics like the drug crisis. Dennis has never wavered in his support of local public health and the talented team that works to keep our county healthy. From his early career in health education at the Snohomish Health District in the 1990s to his excellent leadership as Department Director since January 2023, Dennis’ dedication to making our communities healthier, safer, more resilient, and more inclusive has been invaluable.
It's been a privilege to celebrate alongside Dennis and his team as they opened a new STI clinic, launched mobile health services, and grew the Health Department after decades of chronic underfunding of local public health. I believe he was the right leader at the right time.
While we will miss Dennis, I know he will continue to advance public health for all communities in Washington as Secretary of Health. I look forward to working with him in his new role.
The County has launched the hiring process for a new Health Department Director, with first review of applications anticipated July 11. The job listing can be found on the County’s career opportunities page.
 Executive Dave Somers and Health Department Director Dennis Worsham cut the ribbon for Health on Wheels in April 2025
The Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count provides a snapshot of households experiencing homelessness on a single night, and results were recently released from this year’s Jan. 22 PIT Count. The count identified 1,140 people in 890 households residing in shelter, transitional housing, or living without shelter in Snohomish County, down 1.8% percent (21 fewer people) from 2024.
The count is important to help us better understand homelessness in our county and the impact of local programs working to reduce homelessness. While there is still a lot of work to do, it is good news that this year’s count is slightly lower than last year, marking a decrease for the second year in a row. Our county has strong partnerships with organizations that work to connect people with shelter or housing and to keep them housed. Federal funding is at risk for this crucial work, and I will continue to fight to preserve our homeless housing system while working alongside our community partners to plan for the future.
The County is accepting applications for round one of the 2026 tourism grant cycle. These grants support projects that promote tourism and they are funded through sales tax collected on hotel and motel room rentals within the county.
First-round applications will be accepted until August 20, 2025. The County will be opening a second round this fall prioritizing projects and activities that promote tourism to Snohomish County in advance of upcoming national and international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
To download the round one 2026 application package, please visit the Hotel-Motel Small Fund page: www.seattlenorthcountry.com/industry-resources/lodging-tax-grants/hotel-motel-small-fund.
Climate change is already affecting Snohomish County — from stronger storms to hotter, drier summers. We're inviting community members to learn about the top local climate impacts and share your priorities for how we can better protect our communities, businesses, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Join us for a Climate Resilience Open House
-
When: Wednesday, July 30
-
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
-
Where: Student Center at Mariner High School (200 120th St SW, Everett, WA 98204)
Snacks and refreshments provided. Youth and children are welcome!
Snohomish County is developing a Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan (CwCRP) to make sure that we are prepared for a changing climate.
We’re seeking public comment on a first-ever plan to help people and businesses across Snohomish County better adapt to wildfire risks. The draft Snohomish County Community Wildfire Protection Plan contains dozens of recommended strategies for improving forest health and enhancing wildfire preparedness. It represents nearly two years’ work by a team that included area firefighters, state and federal agencies, local tribes, nonprofits, residents, landowners and Emergency Management staff.
I encourage you to take some time and look over the plan and provide feedback. More importantly, I urge you to learn more about potential wildfire risk where you live and about the actions we all can take to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe.
|
